Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1887-02-25
THE DUELLISTS.
BY rETER DoNOvAN.

One evening IN the winter OF l1S9 the
elite Of Partisan society scintiIlated at
the 6al masqpe given by the Marquis D.
larobe at his palace in the Rue dc Pro-
vencc. The cream of the proud French
aristocracy, the hereditary oprrcssors of
the people, throngel the ball room in
their dazzling costumes. And one 10
see such kaleidoscope array for beauty
and chivalry, 50 volatile and gay would
not think that terrible Nemesis in the
form Of an outraged popuiace was even
then drawing near, and would, ere long.
with one Titanic blow, decapitate the
hydra-headed monster that so long
lived on their substance
When the mad reyel was at its height,
lissomc creature, with the step Of a ga
zelle, attired as a Grccian shepherdess,
moved gracefully about, and with Cir
cean magnetism, became the cynosure of
all eyes. A dashing young officer wear.
ing the uniform of a lieutenant, APP
preached, and bowing defcrentially,
said:
''Will the fair pastoral goddess favor
me with a dance?'
''Monsieur must pardon me if rc1usc,
as am already fatigued from dancing
she answered in voice which bespoke
unaffected ingenuiousness.
"But, madam" he persisted, 81 may
at least have the pleasure of escortinq
you to a seat.'
''lf monsieur insists suppose have
nothing to do but comply" she an
swered with charming naipelte, and ac-
cepted his prolTered arm.
He led the way to cushioned alcovc
and, with the air of Bayard, begged per-
mission to linger if only for few mo-
ments. An almost imperceptible move
ment of the head, gwen to denote as.
sent, sutticcd to loosen her mask, which
fell to the floor, revealing a face of daz-
zling beauty. Her eyes were as dark as
night, and, in the language Of the poet,
might have changed the fate Of an en-
pre- Her brow and lips would have
afforded ample scope for the honeyed
phrases of an Ovid The exquisite sym
metry Of her frame shone to advantage
in her unique costume.
The eyes of the young man feasted on
the lovely vision for a brief period, an
then, removing his mask, he exclaimed
"Since generous fate has revealed your
lovely features, it is only just that
should also reveal mine"
The young girl toyod with the
mask for moment as if delib-
Grating how to act. Then lifting
her eyes she gazed at the young man in
diffilcnt sort Of way and said in low,
musical voice.
'If mistake not, monsieur is of the
house Of Chondos?'
a cannot claim such distinction, 81
hastily answered her auditor with a
slight shade of melancholy in his voice.
i am only poor soldier of fortune,
whose sword is his only legacy"
"Then, how dare you talk to daugh-
ter Of General the Count d'Arnot2' in
terupted a grulf voice, and the youthful
twain turning quickly behold tall man
dressed as Sicilian brigand. lie held
in his hand the mask that he had torn
from his face an his eye shono omin-
ooIsy as he gazed or rather scowled at
the young Lieutenant.
Monseur lie Comte, the young man
has acted with singular dclicacy and
gentleness toward me, and think ycur
words demand an apology" spiritedly
interposed the object of dispute, arising
and standing between the two men.
'The Count de Landon owes no apol.
ogy to a churl, was the fierce aud
naughty rejoinder.
The young lieutenant, stung to mad
ness by his taunt, advanced and delib-
erately spat in the face
of the naughty nobleman. TIL,
count sprang backward with the agility
of an athlete, at the same time drawing
his sword. The young girl grasped tn,
nobleman by the sword arm and begged
of him to forbear. Nothing daunted,
the lieutenant stool like Lauucelot,
with poised blade, awaiting the onset.
Low born wretch, were it not fol
80
"Save your breath, count, you'll need
it all in the morning, in the gardens o.
the Luxembourg, at eight, any weapon.
you choose. Alden, madam, am yer!
sorry to be the cause OF this distressing